Marc Stern
An writer, who has specialized in things automotive and technological, among other topics, for more than 30 years, I have been published in the traditional media (eg. magazines, newspapers), where I spent more than 30 years as a columnist and leading writer in New England, as well as online where I am a featured contributor to Associated Content as well as Examiner.com and on many smaller sites. I also have been a technical writer and have more than a dozen technical journals to my credit, as well as two books and an automotive study for a major auto organization.
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Displaying Results 1 - 166 (of 166) for Yahoo! Voices
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5 2010 Sports Cars with Hottest ReturnsWhen it comes to retaining their value, high-performance sports cars are among the leaders. Leading the pack, believe it or not is Chevy's Corvette.
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Killer Car Sale: You Can Do It; It Just Take a Little TimeYou may have read it online in articles like "How to get a killer car sale without visiting a dealership!" Can you? Maybe you can; chances are you can't, but that doesn't mean you still can't get a great deal"
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Chevy Cobalt: What a Difference a Body Change MakesWhen Chevy decided to revised its Celebrity in for 2005 and beyond, it wasn't taking much of a chance. Sales were tailing away as more modern designs became popular. When they hit on the Cobalt, they found a winner.
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Chevy Impala: 2006 Restyle Really Changed This VehicleRestyled in 2006, the Chevy Impala is a very roadable front-drive vehicle with excellent road manners and three trim levels that will give any buyer what they want.
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Aftermarket Auto Service Plans: Keep a Very Safe DistanceAftermarket auto service plans seem to have it all - if you believe their advertising. Have a large repair? You're covered! Have a major system fail? You're covered! But are you, really, in many cases? The answer is NO!
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Nissan Leaf: Two Major Concerns - Range, InfrastructureWhen the Nissan Leaf hits dealer showrooms shortly before Christmas take a walk around it and look for a tailpipe. You'll have to look very hard to find one because it's an electric and it does not have one.
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Road Maintenance: A Contributor in Many Serious AccidentsDamaged road surfaces and edges due to rough weather and overdue maintenance may proved a dangerous combination for many drivers. Road maintenance is often overlooked but a key factor in crashes.
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2011 Scooters Going Green and Becoming More EfficientAs gas prices creep up and people realize that scooters make great urban vehicles manufacturers are using green strategies to sell their wares, as well as improving on existing models.
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2008 Mazda RX-8: Rotary-Engined GT Coupe that Easily Sat Four and Whose Mileage was an IssueThe 2008 Mazda RX-8 GT is a rotary-engined coupe whose powerplant is happiest when it is on the high-end of the tachometer.
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Fuel Economy: Use the Fuel Economy Readout to Increase Your Mileage and Change Your HabitsThere's a lot to be said for slow and steadily winning the race and with gasoline hovering around $3 per gallon, here's an interesting game to see just how slow and steady you can be.
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Ford F-150 XL: Nice Work Truck, Basic, Plain, Did the JobFord has a total 27 different permutations of its F-150 pickup line, so you can be excused if you get a little confused about anything but your basic work truck reviewed here.
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Touch-Ups Are Easy If You Take Your TimeTouching-up small creases and dings is easy,provided you follow the right steps. The next time you need to do it try them out.
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MFJ Began Work as the Low-Cost Alternative, but Has Become Top in Its FieldIt is interesting just how many people have opinions when it comes to hobby equipment. Everyone has a "best this" or "best that" or devices to buy. Sometimes staying with the low-cost guy does pay off.
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2011 Motorcycles: Exciting Changes on Road and Off RoadThe 2011 fleet of motorcycles will be one of the most competitive in years as new electronics appear, offroad bikes for pros and general riders, as well as street bikes make their debut.
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Eco-Friendly Vehicles: Two Electrics, Rest Still HybridAlthough plans are afoot at all automakers to have all-electric vehicles available only Chevy and Nissan are ready now. The rest of the industry will be playing catchup.
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MFJ-2290: Short Antenna that Helps Hams Stay on AirThey often say that good things come in small packages. Well, 43-feet isn't the tiniest package in the world, but, when it comes to delivering a signal MFJ's 2290 delivers. -
MFJ 6215 Antenna: An Antenna with Something Extra for the HobbyistNow that the sunspot cycle has turned the corner and rare stations are reappearing, new interest in old "gain" antennas is giving life to anteannas like the MFJ-6215.
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Imports Aren't Only Innovative on the MarketIf you are looking for technology advances you do not have to go overseas because technological advances are right here.
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Selling Online, Be Aware Scammers Are Only Too Happy to HelpIf you think man was meant to fly, how come we don't have wings? Likewise, if we are to sell seriously on eBay or other auction sites, we have to be very careful.
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Ford 2008 Focus: A Good Subcompact That's Better Than the OriginalFord's 2008 restyled Focus represents a sea change in direction for the ever-popular Deaborn subcompact. -
Flood-Damaged Cars Can Be Put Right, but Require WorkWith all of the flooding that has been going on in New England, the Mid-Atlantic or down South, there are lots of great car "buys" to watch out for. Watch online sales especially.
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Top 5 Car Audio Systems Still Led by Bang and Olufsen with Levenson a Close Number 2With the number of premier audio manufacturers out there, it's tough to pick a solid top five but you can't miss with names like Bang and Olufsen, Levenson and Bose.
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Front-Drive Versus Rear-Drive: A Long-Time Argument that May Now Be SolvedFront-drive or rear-drive, which is better? At times, it has almost seemed like a holy war, but each has its own merits and all-wheel-drive may be the ultimate solution.
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Driving a Tractor in Goo is like Tying Your Shoes TogetherGoo to the right of me, Goo to the left, Goo in front, Goo in back, the field had beaten the Ford Tractor and nearly ate my shoe.
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2010 Nissan Cube is Conventionally Unconventional; Looks Different, but is the SameOne thing you can say about the very square Nissan Cube is that it draws stares. We found that out recently although it's also a practical hauler, too boot. -
Here Are 5 Vehiclews that Seniors Will Love for Their Price and AmenitiesHere's a list of interesting recreational vehicles that seniors will likely find interesting and affordable and they are not all domestics, either
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Car Interior Cleanups Help Keep Your Expensive Investment in Top ShapeAlthough you may not think of it, keeping your car's interior clean is as important as keeping your car's exterior clean. It just makes good sense.
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Driving in Wet Weather Requires Calm and AlternessWe've had our share of wet weather on the East Coast this year and every time it rains it means you plan, drive slowly and be careful.
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The "Car Doctor" Doesn't Do House Calls, but His Advice Hits HomeJohn Paul, longtime "Car Doctor" for AAA Southern New England and commentator, has some commonsense ideas on how to save gas and money.
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Driving Safely Involves Remaining Engaged in the Task at All TimesWith all the gadgets, screens, bells, whistles and distractions that drivers face today, it's easy to take your eye off the prize.
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There's More to Checking a Car Than Belts, Hoses and TiresAlthough many drivers are nearly fanatic in changing their car's oil and filter every 3,000 miles and having a chassis lube, they can easily overlook some systems. Here are a few that should be but are often overlooked
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Toyota Isn't the Industry's Only Major Story: Many Trends EmergeFor weeks, the big story has been Toyota's troubles, however, there's much more exciting news coming from the auto industry, you just have to look for it.
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Ford's Top 10 Feature Technology, Style and Are CompetitiveWhen Ford took the bold step this model year of redesigning and reintroductng its Fusion, you had to know something was up. It has weathered the downturn and is poised to make itself heard in the car world again.
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The Zen of Traffic Jams: Cool it or Lose ItHumor can help you retain your sanity when you are fighting Big City rush hour traffic jams. Indeed, there may even be physics theories that address the behavior, but whatever the cause, humor goes a long way in a traffic jam.
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Traffic Continues to Jam Its Way Around the WorldTraffic jams continue the world over. Indeed, the top 10 cities still include two from U.S. -- New York and Los Angeles.
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SUVs and Big Cities Are Really Not a Happy FormulaIf ever there was a marriage that was manufactured, it was the Sports Utility Vehicle and the City. After driving many of them in the city of Boston, we can say with authority, go compact or take rapid transit
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Ford Takes Right Steps and Finally Walks into Operating ProfitFord Motor Co. has finally turned the corner following losses that would have had less companies marching off the scene. It turns first operating profit in five years.
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Clarion VZ309: A Surprising High-Def Mutimedia Station on Your DashClarion's VZ309 is a great device if you're looking to upgrade your vehicle with the addition of a DVD player or even high-def TV. The screen's small, but the price is reasonable.
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Some Sales Ideas to Help Car Dealers in a Down MarketInternet sales, special sales, sale events, these are all tried-and-true sales techniques that work, but you have to use them as they were intended and not compromise.
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Central Massachusetts Body Shops Offer Wide Range of Good ServicesCentral Mass. is loaded with many auto body shops, fortunately for consumers, it has some of the best in this state.
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Remaining Pontiac Vibe Sales Halted by Toyota Sales HoldSales of the few remaining Pontiac Vibes have been halted by Toyota freezing sales of eight of its model lines while accelerator kits are hurried to the field. The Vibe is Pontiac's version of the Toyota Matrix. -
The 2005 Chevy Cobalt: A Watershed Design that Pointed the Way to the FutureWhen Chevrolet introduced the Cobalt in 2005, it probably didn't realize the sea change that its design would bring about. It actually pointed to way to the 2006 Impala and later changes that have resulted in some import-challenging vehicles.
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China's BYD Auto Predicts New EV on the Road This YearIt's unlikely that Warren Buffet would invest $232 million of his ocmpany's capital in story of smoke and mirrors so it is even money that China's BYD model will be selling its e6 EV this year here. -
MFJ-986 Differential T-Tuner a Ham's Best Friend in a ShackAlthough this is a somewhat offbeat item, it examines what some hobbyists can find when they look for just the right item, in this case a tuner. -
N.E. Snowstorm: Stay Off the Road, but If You Have to Drive Slow DownDriving in the snow is no laughing matter. It's serious business and here are a few reminders from a veteran car-writer.
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Road Safety Training Begins when Children Are YoungOne of the goals of the AAA Safety Foundation is to encourage a "culture of safety." This begins when children are small and continues to adulthood.
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Best Cars of Decade: Some Surprising ChoicesThis has been a surprising decade for the auto industry. Ford has come out with some surprisingly good vehicles while Chevy's lineup has received raves and the sleeper is Hyundai.
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Best SUV of Decade: Hard to Decide, but M-Class Gets My VoteMercedes-Benz M-Class, one of the first the class now called crossovers, was designed from thr ground up to handle all-wheel-drive duties, but was quickly followed by the BMW X5 and the later X3. -
Top Eco-Friendly Cars of Last Decade: Honda Has Insight, Toyota Has P.RAlthough Toyota would like to have you think it was first to market with its Prius, the Honda Insight beat it to market by a full year. -
Canon Rebel EOS XSi: An Intuitive Camera That's a PleasureCanon's Rebel EOS XSi is a worthwhile addition to my gadget bag and I'm glad I made the move. -
Winter Driving: Don't Leave Home Unless You Have ToThere's an old adage about drinking and driving not mixing, well we should change it to winter and driving just don't mix at all. Just today a light snow in the South caused about 60 crackups.
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A Yule Trip to Remember: Philly to Boston or Bust: On a Wing and 50 CentsThe vacation trip was the best part as was the shopping trip where my brother and I blew a ton of money. What do you want, I was 19 and he was 18 and who knew?
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Christmas 2009: Layoffs, Firings, Closings, Make it Tough YearYou'd think the world would have beaten him by the time he lost his last job, but it hadn't and it never would.
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Traveling with Gifts: A Quick How-To GuideWith the Holiday season coming up, millions of motorists will be taking family trips long distances to Grandma's house with piles of gifts in their cars; thieves know this and waiting to "shop" when you leave your car.
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O'Malley's Had a Family to Protect and One to ServeEveryone was waiting on Nat for something and everyone was surprised by the ending.
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Clinical Depression: It Can Sneak Up on YouGertrude Stein once wrote "A Rose is A Rose is a ...." Some people would have you believe that it's the same with depression, but there's another, more insidious type that can get you if you are not looking.
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Elderly Drivers: Should They Be Behind the Wheel at All?All we were doing today was our weekly shopping and to get ready for the holiday and our trip from the store to the car with our groceries; it was a trip that almost ended on an ugly note.
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Things to Be Thankful for in 2009: My Life, My Wife and Her FriendThis year it's easy to know what I am thankful for as Thanksgiving near. It's my life, my wife and her friend.
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My Driver's License: Dad Did What Driver's Ed. Could NotI am an autowriter with a secret that I'm willing to share now that a few years have gone by: If it wasn't for my Dad I wouldn't be driving, nor would I be as good a drived.
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Microcar Safety: Is it a Hidden Safety Issue About to Explode; Is the "Smart" a Smart Idea?Gas price creep -- now at $2.75 down the street -- may renew interest in microcars, but there's a bigger issue here: safety. How well will micro stand up in a crash with an SUV, mid-sized or even a compact? -
Ever Seen a Refrigerator with Three Extra Legs? He DidIt was a tough night as Gordo surveyed the overturned fridge and three legs sticking out from underneath. Something really was up, in more ways than one.
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Best Road Trip Car: 2009 Ford Flex LimitedFord's Flex was a little slow out of the starting gate. It attracted lots of early interest but people couldn't figure out if it was a long, lean wagon; a weird-looking minivan or, what it truly was, an innovative crossover. -
Health Insurance: Don't Leave Home Without ItIn today's economy with more and more people losing their jobs, health insurance will be the topic of a national conversation that should have only one conclusion, it should be available for all.
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Swine Flu Vaccine: The World's Turned Upside-DownLeft is right; right is left; blue is the new red, and red is the new whatever. The Swine Flu Vaccine -- who is getting it and why not others?
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Digital SLR Accessories: 5 Accessories to Carry in Your Gadget BagFor the Digital SLR enthusiast, here are five accessories to carry that will make your life a little easier and your photos a little better.
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When Will Drivers Learn Red Means Red and that Means Stop?Red light running is an increasingly popular sport in New England. It involves either yakking on your cellphone, oblivious to the world, or speeding up on yellow so you make the light. In this, there's no winner.
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Keeping Your Costs Down on a Cheap Road TripAlthough gasoline has jumped more than a dime in the last couple of days, you can defeat the expensive gas beast by smart driving; maintenance, and using a good tire gauge. -
Ford Flex Turns Heads and Builds an ImageWhen Ford introduced the Flex the reaction was "Wow! What is it?" It really wasn't a wagon or a van, could hold eight and even keep things cool. It turned out to be cool, too. -
There Should Be a New Ticket Category: Driving While Cellphoning (DWC)I've finally come to the conclusion that there should be a new category of driving offenses, driving under the influence of cellphones. It's not for money for strapped towns, it's for safety.
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Ford's Focus on Recipe; Take Flat Rock Chassis, Add ..When Ford purchased a stake of Mazda about 1990 it hoped the stake would prove successful. Indeed, it has, to the point where Ford and Mazda are one company and the sleek subcompact Mazda3 at the same plant as the Focus.
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Repairing a Fender Scratch Takes Time but is it Worth It?If you want to keep your car in great shape, the best places to avoid are parking lots or garages. Since that's impossible, you should know how to fix a problem.
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You Can Bring Car Batteries Back from the DeadCar batteries can lose their charge in many ways. You can leave the headlights on, as someone noted, or it might be the alternator or slipping belts or just plain age that does your battery in.
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DriveSharp: A Program that Sharpens Elder Driving SkillsPosit Safety's DriveSharp is an answer to keeping driving skills sharp as people age. The AAA agrees.
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Sleeplessness is a U.S. Epidemic: Drivers "Wide Asleep" and Ready to SnoreDrowsy drivers are a huge economic and health cost to the economy, Mark Shaw, president of AAA Southern New England, told its publication Horizons. Driving while drowsy costs $12.5 billion and causes 100,000 accidents.
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Leaf Peeping Fallout: When Leaves Fall Down, Skids Come AroundLeaf Peeping has its upside in all of the beauty it provides as well as the hours of pleasure you get. But there's a downside, too, a very slippery downside.
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"The Walker Collection" Highlights New England's Links to the Industry"The Walker Collection," housed in the Beverly, Massachusetts, Historical Society, contains more than 5,000 photos and other artifacts and is likely one of the largest collections of its type. -
ABS Becomes Auto Industry Standard in Relatively Short TimeBefore 1980, if you had wanted an anti-lock braking system, you would have had to have connections at Mercedes-Benz where much of the development happened. Now it's everywhere.
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Wheels Come of GM-Penske Deal to Keep Saturn AliveClouded by uncertainties, the Penske board of directors closed down talks with General Motors over the future of Saturn. Penske walked away from the takeover.
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New England Foliage: Driver's Have Front Seat ViewNew England drivers have best seats in house for "Leaf Peeping" and it's one of the reasons we put up with all the weather we do. This season makes it worthwhile. -
Mercury MKZ: Ford's "Fusion" Cuisine Cooks Up Fine MKZAutomakers usually like to keep their designs on the road for about six full years before making major changes in them, but Ford/Lincoln-Mercury has taken a bold step by radically restyling the Fusion/MKZ lines.
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GM Tries "All-In" Marketing Plan: 60-Day Guarantee - Direct Challenge to CompetitionGeneral Motors has rolled out an aggressive three-pronged marketing campaign to regain lost market. The campaign uses Chair Ed Whitacre to discuss GM improvements; offers a 60-day guarantee, and says "May the Best Car Win." -
Maybe a Big Balloon Would Have Helped -- Playing Tag in an AirportA few years ago, we decided to take a trip to Florida. We couldn't book a direct Boston to Miami flight because they were all full, so we had to change in Atlanta. That's when the fun occurred.
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NE Fall Foliage Season Gets into Full SwingThis is the time of year when New England is invaded by the "Leaf Peepers." They get to see some great foliage, the locals get agita, but win in the end.
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The Drivetrain - Front, Rear, All-Wheel, 4x4 - It's a Jungle Out ThereIt can be a drivetrain jungle for you if you are trying to put together an automotive package especially as there seem to be too many drivetrain options. Relax, there are really only three basic types.
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GM's 60-Day Discount: A Brash MoveGeneral Motors today launched a 60-day, money-back guarantee program to buyers of its new 2009 and 2010 products. GM believes it can compete with imports and puts its money where its product is.
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Buying a Car: Some Good AdviceWatch out for the "expert" advice you get buying your first car. That advice always has a few "gotchas."
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My Yom Kippur Memory -- Dad, His Family, and ShulIt was a different universe. We walked to Shul on Yom Kippur and made family memories of Yom Kippur, such as the one that I still keep hidden away in my mind, available when I want it.
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Never Use Rope or Twine to Repair an Exhaust SystemAlthough some articles advocate twine or rope to temporarily repair a broken exhaust, don't do it because you are risking far more than you know.
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Winter Driving: Some Things to Take; Watch Out ForWinter Driving Requires Skills that can only be learned behind the wheel and the biggest tip of all is don't drive, if you don't have to.
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AAA Finds Drivers Say One Thing, Do AnotherFrom cellphoning to texting, the AAA Foundation has a big problem on its hands. Drivers realize these things are dangerous, yet they continue to do them and the foundation hopes to change that attitude.
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2010 Ford Fusion Radically RedesignedNormally, the third year of a domestic car's product life is a year of minor changes and small fixes. This year, though, Ford has taken its Fusion and has done a radical restyle that makes it a real contender. -
Octane is Not What You May Think it IsSome have painted octane as the ability to keep fuel from self-combusting. That assumption, alone, is wrong. It's merely the gasoline's spark knock level; self-combusting fuel, by the way, is what drives diesels.
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America -- Land of the Free; Home of the PotholeTransportation Secretary Ray LaHood, a maverick Republican congressman who supported Amtrack, was named to his post by the President. He sat with "AAA Horizons" and gave a frank talk about changes that need to be made.
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Buying Online is Trickier Than You ThinkBuying online is both easy and hard. If it's a car you know you want and have already test driven, then it's just a matter of exchanging checks for title, but you need insurance to drive back and plates. It's tricker than you think.
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Keeping Our Costs Down Driving the U.SThis is another one of those stories from my kidhood when we did a lot of traveling by car as my folks wanted us to experience as much of the country as possible, as inexpensively as possible.
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Funny Personal Halloween Story -- the Gorton's Fisherman I'm NotSometimes things stay with you a long time, like the time we gave up our dog, the time my brother left for school, the time I tried to be the "little old Gorton's fisherman" for Halloween. That was not a good idea!!
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"Global Warming" -- Patterns Consistent and TrueAlthough a few years ago, the then-administration said "more science" was needed to prove that global warming was real, it is proving to be true without the extra studies.
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Cellphones: Reach Out and Crunch Somebody?One of my hobbies behind the wheel is counting to see how many folks have cellphones clamped to their ears, gesturing away to make a point to some non-existent unseen person and what I've found will upset you, or maybe not?
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If Elderly Are Road Problem, What's the Cure?Suddenly, it seems, there has been a rash of fatal accidents involving drivers of about 80 and over that has led to calls for stricter testing and othr tough actions. The question is why?
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"Show Me the Carfax" -- Unless It's Too SoonCarfax advertising would have you believed it is the greatest panacea for everything but burned toast in the car business, but there are some time issues you should be aware of.
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"Cash for Clunkers" -- Success or Bandaid?With Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood jumping up and down about the success of the "CARS (Car Allowance Rebates Program)" also known as "Cash for Clunkers," it's time to step back a bit as the program winds down.
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NHTSA Ends "clunkers" as Program SucceedsThe "CARS" program, known also as "Cash for Clunkers," has moved 457,457 vehicles; brought people back to work; increased output, and has been termed a success by the secretary of transportation.
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Car Buying 101: The PaperworkIn this part Car Buying 101, we emphasize the need to walk through the paperwork trail closely with the dealer to be sure that all paperwork is filled out correctly. Estimates are that four of five "clunker" deals are hurt by haste.
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GM Bailing Out Dealers Holding Lots of "Clunkers""Cars for Clunkers" is draining inventory and GM has recalled 1,350 workers to help put cars back into the pipeline. Frustrated dealers dropping program, while sales peak
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Car Buying 101: The Deal"Cash for Clunkers" makes deals easier because it eliminates the need to negotiate and sets the floor on the trade. The only variables are factory incentive money and the "clunker" voucher.
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Car Buying 101: The Right VehicleYou have chosen a small SUV or Crossover vehicle. It is "The Right Vehicle" for you and your family. It is an all-wheel-drive model with GPS and Rear Entertainment System.
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Car Buying 101: Finding the Right DealerPart II of Car Buying 101 illustrates how to find the right dealer for you in the CARS program. Friends, co-workers, or salespeople who have sold you vehicles in the past can help you locate "the dealer."
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Car Buying 101: The Decision, the Big StepCar Buying 101 is a series of articles targeted a new-vehicle buyers. It is based on the "Cash for Clunkers" program to show how the process has changed. The key decision is still to-buy-or-not-to-buy.
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Losing a Job is Not the End But a New BeginningJob loss is common today but there are ways to handle it. Job loss requires keeping your family in the loop and not being afraid to use food stamps and other resources.
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"Cash for Clunkers" Has Unintended Side Effect -- Nonprofits HurtingFor years, nonprofit organizations have used "clunker" donations as a major source of revenue and "Cash for Clunkers" is drying it up.
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AAA Wants Parents, Teens to Dare to Prepare for Driver's EdThe view of a teen license as a "right of passage," and another view this AAA official has.
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Cash for Clunkers: Sweet Deal for the Industry, but What Happens Next?An analysis of the first month-and-a-half of the "Cash for Clunkers" program by an automotive professional who has followed the industry for nearly 40 years as a writer, photographer and salesperson.
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Cans and Fires Don't MixPicture two dozen Boy Scouts laughing as a tomato scoup can blows its top, paints a tent, and sets the tone for a weekend. This was the time.
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A Tale of a Dog and an Ironman's TearsOur dog Blaze was our family friend and he made a mistake, a bad mistake, that cost him his freedom and brought my Dad to tears.
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GM and eBay Motors: A Marriage Made Somewhere that Will Help SomeoneDealers and customers are in for a wild ride as GM and eBay team up to move inventory. It just remains to be seen if which model works, eBay's or GM's.
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Elders Aren't the Only Danger on the Road: Drug-Users Take Lives Too!Despite a rash of accidents involving elders and fatalities, there's another, hidden crisis on the road, drug users who take the wheel while under the influence ...
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Cash for Clunkers is a Tremendous Success but Not Without Growing Pains"Cash for Clunkers" is a winning federal program that has some dealers worried about payment and some holding onto cars until they are paid.
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"Cash for Clunkers" Brings Customers; Has Dealers Hopping"Cash for Clunkers" is proving such a success that dealers are worried they will soon be out of inventory (a huge turnaround from 2 months ago), while consumers who do not qualify ask "What about me?"
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Boomer Moms and Dads Facing Some Driving DecisionsBoomer Moms and Dads are healthier than ever before, but even if you're in good shape at 93, you still have the reflexes of a 93-year-old; everything slows down and problems can happen. (They can for younger drivers, too!)
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Cash for Clunkers is Working Well with Up to 500K Extra Sales Predicted"Cash for Clunkers," despite some bumps and coughs, is proving highly successful with up to 180,000 extra sales so far, says the administration.
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Summer's the Time for Antifreeze, TooIf you have to replace your car's coolant for any reason be sure to use antifree/coolant. There's a reason it's called antifreeze/COOLANT.
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Cellphones and Driving - like Alcohol - Just Don't MixIt took a battle of more than six years, but the Center for Auto Safety and Public Citizen freed suppressed safety data that showed the dangers of cellphone use.
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Here's a Story that Proves Sometimes All's Not Well and Doesn't End WellSoap does more than clean your hands as our Scout troop found out when I was a kid. I only avoided it by bringing in my own water.
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Who Done It? No One, He Did it Himself?Det. Frank Phillips had had a rough night, two hours of sleep and wanted to curl up in a corner and sleep for the day, but that wasn't to be, as the pounding on the door was soon to tell him.
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Interesting Paradox: Heat Zaps Your Battery, Just like ColdWith the hot summer they've been having in the Northwest, motorists are likely finding that batteries can fail as easily as if the temperature is 20-below.
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Believe it or Not, Your Tires Tell You How They FeelListening to what your tires have to say, really looking at what they have to say, can tell you a great deal about their condition. It just takes a little extra looking to see.
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Take Care of Your Tires and They'll Take Care of You for 60,000 or 80,000 MilesThere's no reason that your car's tires cannot run safely for 60,000, 70,000 or 80,000 miles. All it takes is a little attention to detail and care.
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Deciding on a Great Car Deal - Don't Take Just Anyone's Word for ItNever take anyone's word that the car you are buying is the greatest thing since sliced bread because it just may not be. A relatively inexpensive safety check will tell you a lot more.
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Cash for Cars: Congress Quickly Refunds Surging ProgramTo say this program, Cars for Cash, is a success is putting it mildly. In only four days, dealers are complaining their inventory is running short. They also want faster payment; bloggers are just complaining about another raid on our pockets.
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Want a Good Look at Road Rage? Take a Look in the MirrorAre you the road-rager or its victim? It really depends on the time and place because you can easily be one or the other at the drop of an accelerator.
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A Summer Version of the Winter Car Trunk Treasure ChestThere's more to a trunk treasure box than just snow. It's usually winter when we are reminded that we need this, that or the other. Here are some trunk treausres for the summer.
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Winter Isn't the Only Time to Think About Your Trunk Treasure ChestWinter isn't the only time of year when you can have car troubles that have you thinking "I wish I had that (whatever it might be)!" Well, here's another group of suggested items that might just come in handy in a breakdown.
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New Tarmac and Ice Driving Have Lots in Common -- Easy SkidsBelieve it or not, new, uncured asphalt hot-top and ice-road driving have lots in common. The most important thing to remember is that you can easily go into a skid and you have to control it to survive.
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Honda's Civic Looks Great, but Repairing it Can Be ExpensiveJust repairing the front end of a 2006 or later Honda Civic can be a costly experience. Figures can put it close to $4,000 to repair the entire front end.
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Underride, Override, Anyride - Car Height's Still a ProblemUsing the jellybean shape, words like underride, override are making a comeback in the auto business. It's a comeback that has proven expensive.
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When is an Economy Car Not an Economy Car?In its quest to squeeze out the last ounce of mileage from its products, the auto industry has revived the jellybean shape and cars that were supposed to be inexpensive are quite expensive -- to repair -- and it doesn't have to that way. -
When Customer Service is Flawed it Can Be CorrectedCustomer service is seen today as a rude, disruptive part of the business cycle, often outsourced to folks who can barely speak colloquial English, but it doesn't have to be that way.
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Honda's Restyled CR-V and Toyota's RAV4 Were Radically RestyledBelieve it or not, there was much more to the radical 2006 Honda CR-V restyle and the Toyota RAV4 than you might think. Economics had a lot to do with it.
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As Auto Fleet Ages, Aftermarket Warranties Make More SenseAftermarket warranties used to be a real come-on type business. Dealers offered them on very old cars and when you want to use it chances are it was no go. Today, that has changed and they are a very important add-on.
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Sometimes, Someone a Little "larger Than Life" Can Set Your CareerIt has taken many years for it to finally sink in but -- in a career-shaping moment -- with a real larger-than-life type, they keyboard became a way of life.
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Cars Are For Driving - Not Phoning, Texting, Computing, Faxing or Anything ElseWith the explosion in technology today, many drivers head down the road with phones clamped to their ears or thumbs busily texing, failing to keep full attention where it should be, on their task -- driving.
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Aging Driver Followup: when is Enough Too Much?There has been an epidemic of elderly drivers who have been involved in deadly or near deadly accidents and the question has to be asked, when is it time to put the keys down?
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Believe it or Not, You Can Have an SUV and Economy, TooIt didn't take huge vehicles and engines and four-wheel-drive to have practical all-wheel-drive safety and fuel economy. Just using existing platforms and systems the auto industry began a whole new class, the crossover.
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Think Today's Headlights Are Brighter? Well, They AreSince the Federal Motor Vehicle Standards were loosened in the 1980s to allow for separate bulb, headlamp housing designs, designers have pushed the edge and the result is a new class of superbright headlight.
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Now that You've Sold Your Car - What Comes Next?Selling a car online takes time and patience and is harder than you think. There are many slips possible between winning bid and sale.
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Selling Cars Online Requires the Right ToolsWhen you sell online, whether it's via auction or ad, you have to have the right tools. You can use a fairly simple camera and the rest of the tools are available online, except the most important tool and that's you. -
High-tech and Writing Don't Require Advanced DegreesFalling in love with technology in college and then using my career to steer myself into technology, I became a self-taught expert. It shows you don't need a degree to become an expert.
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It Isn't Your Imagination: Taillights Are a Brighter Shade of RedDuring the last five years or so, carmakers have begun to incorporate ultra-bright red LEDs as turn and brake light indicators. It's a happy circumstance that the technology to help make drivers safe is available when needed.
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Aging Boomers Will Keep on Truckin', but When Should They Stop?As accidents involving elders and serious injuries and fatalities goes on, legislators are working overtime to find a solution. Will they have the courage to do the right thing when Boomers weigh in?
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Planning a Road Trip This Year - Be Sure Our Car's Running Right, Part 2This article explores what you need to check out to make sure that your car or any other vacation vehicle remains reliable and keeps you from becoming part of your own vacation story.
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Taking a Summer Road Trip? Be Sure Your Car's in Good Shape, Part IWith today's vacationers taking more car trips and fewer plane trips, it makes sense to be sure your car's running correctly. It's far better to be enjoying the countryside from your vehicle than becoming part of it as you wait for a tow.
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Everyone Wants to Be Green, But How Many Actually Practice It?Call them the green crowd, but those who say they are cutting their carbon footprint are likely doing less than people who are still driving gas-powered cars. The real truth will be when electrics appear next year.
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Health Tip: Regular Flossing, Fluoride Treatments and Gum BrushingIf you use a regular oral health regimen you will find many benefits. Aside from fewer visits to the dentist, you will find that you have fewer cavities and need less work.
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Health Tip: 1200 MG of Calcium and Vitamin D (1000 Units) Means Healthy BonesHealthy bones are essential to you. As you age, your bones lose their calcium or you may take medications that actually leach calcium from your bones. You can fight back with Calcium and Vitamin D.
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Consider the Lowly Windshield Wiper and RejoiceBe good to your wipers and they'll be good to you and keep you safe. Make sure you replace them every three months (six max) for safer driving. Don't just take them for granted.
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Do You Need GPS? Consider Aftermarket UnitsGPS systems are great if you travel or even if you're just running errands. They keep you from getting lost and get your where you are going on time. Best of all, you can save a bundle with an aftermarket unit.
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Ebay / Craigslist Changing the Face of Automotive SalesEbay and Craigslist, two of the most power sales engines on the Internet, have become the sales points of choice for many dealers because they can maximize their profit and keep costs down. -
You Want the Car, so What Should Go Inside? This List Might HelpIt's a car buyer's market, so be sure you equip your new vehicle exactly the way you want it. Don't be stampeded by a salesperson or sales manager. Indeed, walk away, if it isn't exactly what you want.
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Upgrade Your Wheels: Easy Upgrade That Gives Your Ride the Right AttitudeConsider the wheel; it's overlooked; overworked; overstressed; taken for granted, and yet it's crucial to your vehicle. Treat yourself and your vehicle to upgraded wheels; they're a little pricey but they make you feel good.
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Car Dealers Should Realize They Are RetailersHere's an opinion piece that says that car dealers have more in common with Kohl's and Wal-Mart than anything else today. Cars are retail commodities that should sell for set prices. Forget the old ways; pay a living wage, and let commissions go away.
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Some Blues with My BlackberryThe Blackberry 7100i is one of the smallest and sleekest phones of its type on the market. It's a nice device that could be even better with a few fixes.
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Some Automotive Things to Think AboutHere are some little-thought-of items that may interest you.
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Buying a New Car Does Require Some Upfront ResearchDo your homework, teachers say, it applies to car-buying too. Here's a list of some things to think about.
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New/Used Car: The Choice is YoursCertified Preowned vehicles are a real value when you look closely at the programs offered and ensure that you are getting value for your money.
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How to Handle the Business Manager at the Car DealershipYou can take charge of the car-buying process with a little firmness, your checkbook and skill.
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Whether You Know it or Not, Now is a Pretty Good Time to Buy a CarThis is actually a good time to be in the car market for a number of reasons, not the least of which the dealers have to move the inventory.